VTTA (Merseyside) 15

A brand new course at the new, fashionable time trialling distance of 15 miles saw two impressive inaugural course records set in Round 1 of the Friction Hydraulics Series – despite bitterly cold temperatures that saw the mercury reach just 1ºC at the start tempered by a light wind. SCCA Private Member Matt Garthwaite beat the nearest opposition by over two minutes in the VTTA (Merseyside) 15 to take the overall win and set a benchmark of 32 minutes 32 seconds on a course that drew many positive comments for adding variety to spice things up.

Starting on the Hodnet bypass and utilising the A53, Hazel’s Road and the A442 through Peplow across the infamous ‘pavé’, the only part of the course that caused any concern; Garthwaite showed a clean pair of heels to the chasing pack, revealing the race was the perfect preparation for an upcoming event across the water: “I was using the time trial to check out my form ahead of the four-day Ras Mumhan stage race in Ireland over Easter. I paced it well by splitting the distance into three 5 mile time trials and managed to negative split each one. Hopefully my preparation will improve as the season goes on as I arrived at the start with 50 seconds to go while still wearing 20 layers!  All in all a good day, and good conditions once I warmed up. A well run event with lots of friendly marshals“.

Garthwaite’s wasn’t the only course record set with Rebecca Richardson putting in a mightily impressive effort of 37:16 to take the honours amongst the Women – and take sixth spot overall. Hafren CC’s Richardson outpaced nearest challenger Charlotte Chapman by over three minutes to show dominant early-season form and take the maximum 60 points on offer in the Women’s Series. A delighted Richardson commented: “I was pleased with my time, my first time trial of the year and it was nice to see where I was at. The conditions were good and I paced it well, although half way around I convinced myself it was an 18 mile event and not the 15 mile! Thank you to everyone who was helping, the marshals along the course really helped as I wasn’t entirely sure of the course. Teas and cakes after were very welcome too“!

The Veteran’s winner took the Overall runner-up spot too with Revolutions Racings’ Stuart Proctor putting his energy into tackling the frustrations of the poor winter. Reigning Veteran’s Champion Proctor sounded an ominous warning of his intentions to go all out to defend his title with an inspiring +5:29 and actual time of 34:52, pushing Richard Kay out by +1:26 and 1:38 respectively and was happy to finally test his racing legs, stating: “It’s great to get back out time trialling after the long winter. It didn’t feel that quick though – or warm! I was chuffed to get just under the 35 minute mark. A great course, although the Peplow pavé wasn’t good! Many thanks to Phil Guy for promoting as well as all the marshals, a great event”.

 Kay meanwhile was happy with finishing third despite suffering in the cold. The North Shropshire Wheeler revealed: “I thought I’d be much faster but my legs had nothing in them after a mile, it must have been the cold! It would be nice course on a hot evening. Thanks to Phil Guy and everyone who made it possible“.

Result:

 Friction and Hydraulic Services Shropshire Championship Points Series – Round 1

 

Pos’n Name Club Cat Time Points
1 Matt Garthwaite SCCA Private Member S 32:32 60
2 Stuart Proctor Revolutions Racing V 34:52 55
3 Richard Kay North Shropshire Wheelers V 35:30 50
4 Matt Gibbons Nova Raiders S 35:34 45
5 Alex Leek SCCA Private Member S 36:33 40
6 Rebecca Richardson Hafren CC W 37:16 35
7 William Baugh Ludlow CC V 37:25 30
8 Ed Middleton Nova Raiders S 37:51 25
9 Gareth Brookes North Shropshire Wheelers V 38:43 20
10 Tim Rex North Shropshire Wheelers V 40:02 15
11 Charlotte Chapman Nova Raiders W 40:26 10
12 Allan Henderson Wrekinsport CC S 40:31 5
13 Steve Chapman Nova Raiders V 41:16 5
14 Dave York Mid Shropshire Wheelers V 41:35 5
15 Jenny York Mid Shropshire Wheelers WV 42:35 5
16 Dave Wilson North Shropshire Wheelers V 42:37 5
17 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC WV 42:46 5
18 Jade Chapman Nova Raiders V 43:59 5
19 Dave Mellor Mid Shropshire Wheelers V 44:18 5
20 Richard Berry North Shropshire Wheelers V 44:37 5
21 Les Boughey North Shropshire Wheelers V 44:48 5
22 Ian Carson Oswestry Paragon CC V 45:31 5
23 Linda Beckett North Shropshire Wheelers WV 52:46 5
Gino Trasatti North Shropshire Wheelers V DNF-P
Bryn Davies Hafren CC V DNS-A
Tim O’Donnell Revolutions Racing S DNS

 

Friction and Hydraulic Services Veterans Championship – Round 1

 

Vets Pos’n Name Club Cat Vets Std +/- Vets Points
1 Stuart Proctor Revolutions Racing V +5:29 60
2 Richard Kay North Shropshire Wheelers V +4:03 55
3 Dave Wilson North Shropshire Wheelers V +3:18 50
4 William Baugh Ludlow CC V +2:56 45
5 Jenny York Mid Shropshire Wheelers WV +2:28 40
6 Gareth Brookes North Shropshire Wheelers V +1:38 35
7 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC WV +0:41 30
8 Dave York Mid Shropshire Wheelers V +0:39 25
9 Steve Chapman Nova Raiders V -0:02 20
10 Tim Rex North Shropshire Wheelers V -0:15 15
11 Jade Chapman Nova Raiders V -0:17 10
12 Ian Carson Oswestry Paragon CC V -2:26 5
13 Dave Mellor Mid Shropshire Wheelers V -3:04 5
14 Richard Berry North Shropshire Wheelers V -3:05 5
15 Les Boughey North Shropshire Wheelers V -3:50 5
16 Linda Beckett North Shropshire Wheelers WV -9:56 5

 

Friction and Hydraulic Services Women’s Championship – Round 1

 

Women’s Pos’n Name Club Cat Time Women’s Points
1 Rebecca Richardson Hafren CC W 37:16 60
2 Charlotte Chapman Nova Raiders W 40:26 55
3 Jenny York Mid Shropshire Wheelers WV 42:35 50
4 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC WV 42:46 45
5 Jade Chapman Nova Raiders V 43:59 40
6 Linda Beckett North Shropshire Wheelers WV 52:46 35

 

Top Club Award after Round 1

 

Pos’n Club Points
1 North Shropshire Wheelers 105
2 SCCA Private Members 100
3 Nova Raiders 90
4 Revolutions Racing 55
5 Hafren CC 35
6 Ludlow CC 30
7 Mid Shropshire Wheelers 15
8 Oswestry Paragon CC 10
9 Wrekinsport CC 5

 

  • Round 2 of the Friction Hydraulics Series takes place on Easter Saturday with the rearranged Wrekinsport CC Chris Edwards Hilly 18 rerun at Worfield which was cancelled from it’s original date of 3rd March due to heavy snow.